BAJURA, JULY 30

Nepal government has made checkup service for pregnant and new mothers free, but health organisations in Bajura are charging fee from pregnant women and those who come for delivery.

The health organisations charged women for check-up, video x-ray and lab test, among other services. District Hospital and Kolti Primary Health Centre take Rs 400 for video x-ray. The service seekers need not pay for medicines, equipment and laboratory charges. A staff nurse at the district hospital Nisha Rokaya said that patients have to pay for the video x-ray and other services. She said that women could not get the state facility even though it was mentioned in the law. 'The hospital charges the fee when it has been made almost free by the state,' she added. Rokaya said nobody spoke of the same. Similarly, Kolti Primary Health Centre also takes fee. Dambara Bam Malla, a patient of Budhinanda Municipality paid Rs 400 for x-ray.

Health Coordinator at the municipality Aamejung Shahi said the amount was taken as per the decision made of the health management committee.

A local Rabindra Rokaya said that the health facilities have charged patients even though service had been made free. Due to this, most of the women have been deprived of basic health facility.

Meanwhile, information officer Nripa Raj Giri said that the health facilities took the amount from service seekers. He said that the state decision would be implemented from today onwards.

'I am unaware of the issue,' he said. As many as twelve pregnant women died in four years due to lack of treatment.

Many women have been losing the lives due to lack of treatment facility because they cannot afford it.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 31, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.